DAP Sarawak federal appointment a controversial U-turn, says SUPP man
by Samuel Aubrey · Borneo Post OnlineKUCHING (Dec 18): The appointment of a Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak MP as a deputy minister in the recent Cabinet reshuffle has been criticised as a clear reversal of the party’s earlier stance on not seeking executive power, said Dato Sim Kiang Chiok.
The Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Stakan chairman recalled that in 2022, DAP Sarawak leaders had publicly assured Sarawakians that they had no ambition to hold executive positions at the federal level.
“The DAP Sarawak leaders repeatedly stated they were content to remain backbenchers in Parliament to gain public trust and to portray themselves as distinct from their Peninsular leadership.
“Yet in 2025, that promise has been conveniently discarded. The appointment of a DAP Sarawak Member of Parliament as a Deputy Minister is a clear and undeniable U-turn.
“This is not an administrative coincidence — it contradicts what was promised to Sarawakians,” he said in a statement following the latest Cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday.
The Cabinet reshuffle saw DAP Sarawak vice chairman and Mas Gading MP Mordi Bimol being appointed as the new Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports.
Sim said the development should prompt voters to reassess the credibility of the party’s commitments, adding that the reversal reflects a broader pattern of unfulfilled pledges.
He cited the long-standing promise of 20 per cent oil and gas royalties, which remains unrealised, and the continued lack of national recognition for the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), despite the Sarawak government recognising it over a decade ago for entry into state service.
He added that political analyst Datuk Prof Dr Jayum Jawan had observed that the federal appointments were politically strategic, aimed at strengthening DAP and PKR in Sarawak ahead of the next state election, reinforcing concerns that Sarawak was being treated as a political testing ground for Malayan-based parties.
In contrast, Sim said Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), including Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) and SUPP, had consistently maintained that Sarawak must be governed by Sarawak-based parties accountable only to Sarawakians.
“Our stand on Sarawak’s rights, autonomy and resources has never changed,” he said, urging Sarawakians to remain alert and remember past promises when assessing political developments.
“Promises matter. Consistency matters. Sarawak must always come first,” he added.